Auto oil cleaner



L. C. WEINBERG AUTO OIL CLEANER Filed April 22, 1 926 INVENTOR [OWE/.LC. M/E/NBEQ q ATT NEYf Patented Nov. 27, 1928.

STATES" LOWELL C. WEI'NBERG, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

AUTO OIL CLEANER.

Application filed April 22, 1926. Serial No. 103,786.

This invention relates to cleaning devices for use with internalcombustion engines and has for its main object the cleansing of thelubricant used therein of all foreign matter prior to its passage thruthe various working parts of the engine.

In an internal combustion engine the lubricant is pumped or forced tothe different parts for the purpose of lubricating the same. Thelubricant makes a complete circuit thru the various channels of itsoperations and is then drained back into a low level of the engine whereit is again pumped to the different points of lubrication as before.

Small parts of metal are worn or broken from the various moving parts ofthe engine during the operation thereof, and these parts are naturallypicked up by the lubricant and carried therewith to other moving partsof the engine. Considerable wear therefore results in the working partsof the engine by the suspended foreign matter in the lubricant as aresult of its continued use in the engine, resulting in numerous repairsbeing necessary therein.

It is diflicult for the average person to constantly bear in mind thiscontinual ravage-to the power plant of his automobile. Due to the usualposition of the oil well in'the engine, the removal of the oil, andcleaning the same is somewhat a task which is commonly left untouched.As a result, these minute particles which are held in a state ofsuspension in the lubricant, act as an abrasive, which has a veryinjurious efi'ect on the moving parts of the motor. I I

The heat of the engine parts, suchas the surface of the underside of thepiston head,

causes any lubricating oil which strikes this surface to be raised to ahigh temperature. This heating of the lubricant creates a formation ofcarbon to take place within the same, which is also injurious to themoving surface of the engine.

At low temperature conditions, lubricating oildoes not readily flow andit is necessary to use a thinner grade of oil during the period of lowtemperature in order to insure proper lubrication.

It is an object of this invention therefore, to remove the smallparticles of foreign mat ter suspended in the. lubricating oil used inconnection with an internal combustion en gme.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means for raisingthe temperature of the lubricant used to such a degree as to makepossible the use of one grade of lubricating oil in the operation of theengine without danger of insufficient lubrication.

It is a further object to provide means for causing the lubricating oilto bypass around the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich Fig. 1 is a vertical central section thru the oil cleaner. v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the same.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing the manner in which hot gasesfrom the exhaust of an engine are caused to be deflected and circulatedthru the cleaner.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the cleaner installed on the power plant ofan automobile.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, thedevice consists mainly of a container 1 having an inclined side wall 2of circular cross sections. The container 1 has an oil line 3 mounted inthe base 4 thereof thru which the oil used in the engine is caused topass. The base 4 comprises a chamber 5 which completely surrounds thewall 6 thru which the oil line 3 passes. A heating pipe 7 is suitablyconnected to the chamber 5 at one end and is. connected at its other endto the exhaust 8 of an internal combustion engine 9. An adapter 10having threads 11 thereon is screwed into the exhaust pipe 8. Thisadapter has an inlet 12 on the one side thereof so positioned as tocause hot gases passing thru the exhaust pipe to be de flected into theadapter 10 and passed thru 7 line 7 and into receiving chamber 5. v

The oil line 3 is in communication with the supply line 13 of the engine9, and oil is delivered from the engine by the customary oil pump andcaused to pass thru oil line 3 of the cleaner and thru a diffuser 14vertically mounted within the container 1. This difend thereofcommunicating with the inside of the container 1.

moved and any excess Cleansing The side 2 of the container 1 provides abody portion 16, and a cover 17 is provided, both having flanges 18.These flanges are held together by the use of machinescrews and nuts 25.A spacer 19' is provided between the flanges of the body and the'coverto permit a pair or series of spaced wire screens 20 to be placedtherebetween. These screens are for the purpose of insuring separationof the larger foreign particles from the oil. The screen 20 comprises asupport for a layer of wool 21 which is interposed between the same forthe further purpose of cleansing the oil. At the same time, the wool 21acts as a means for preventing any of the cleansing fluid from passingthru the container and into the main supply line and then to the engine.

The body portion of the container is filled with a cleanslng fluid ofany well known type which is kept at a proper height in the body 16, asshown at 22. This level is maintained, thru the use of a plug 23 screwedinto the side wall ofthe body where it can easily be refluid removed. Asthe oil enters the cleansing fluid after leaving the. diffuser 14, it iscleansed of the carbon and metal particles suspended therein, graduallyrises in the container, due to its being lighter than the cleansingliquid, passes thru the screens 20, and enters the cover portion 17; Itis then conducted thru the supply line 24 and thence to the working ormovmg parts of the engine.

The ingredients of the cleansing liquid are usually such that the liquidwill freeze at low temperatures. Freezing causes the liquid to expand,and for this purpose the lower sides of the container are sloped as.shown in the drawings so as to allow the frozen liquid'to slide towardthetop of the container, thereby preventing any damage being done to thecontainerby expansion.

When the cleansing liquid in the container is frozen it prevents the oilfrom passing.

where it can readily reach its designated points of use.

At the same time that around the container, the exhaust gasesfrom theengine are entering the chamber 5 and in so doing, the frozen liquid issoon heated sufiioiently to cause it to melt at which time the oil willagain enter the cleansing liquid asat first,due to reduced pressure inthe line.

A removable plug 28 is screwed into the side of the container near thebase where all foreign matter taken from the oil is easily removed fromtime to time. K

Having shown the prefered form of the invention, it will of course beunderstood that changes may be made in the form and details ofconstruction without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and wish to cover by Letters Patent is':

In combination with an internal combustion engine, a receptacle forholding liquid mounted adjacent thereto, a cleansing liquid in saidreceptacle, inlet and outlet pipe lines connected to said receptacle andto said engine respectively, to permit. oil to be circulated from saidengine thru said rece tacle and again returned tovsaid engine, a deector coacting with said. receptacle .and inserted into the exhaust pipeof said engine, said deflector being so constructed as to cause exhaustgases in said exhaust pipe to be carried into the base of saidreceptacle for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' LOWELL owEiNBnRd the 011 1s passing.

